They don’t call her the Queen of Country for no reason. Reba McEntire started singing and performing at a really young age — she and her siblings had formed a band by high school, and were playing local shows under the name the Singing McEntires.
Once her older brother graduated high school, they all went their separate ways (We have scoured the internet for video footage of one of those performances, but to no avail).
So, McEntire went on to college to pursue a degree in teaching, with a minor in music. In 1974, her father encouraged her to take a job opportunity singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City.
From there, she was heard by country artist Red Steagall, who agreed to meet with McEntire, her mom and their siblings. She performed on the spot for him, and Steagall told McEntire’s mother that he couldn’t take all three of her kids to Nashville, but he could help Reba, because she had something special.
She made her breakthrough in Nashville in the fall of 1975, when she was signed to Mercury Records. The rest, as they say, is history.
McEntire has grown to become an American icon and household name. From acting to singing, to now coaching on The Voice, this country queen seems to have had the most delightful career, and she hasn’t slowed down.
30 Photos of Reba McEntire Young
Reba McEntire is one of the most revered country stars of all time — but also in entertainment. She’s been successful as both an actor and a singer since the 1970s, and nearly 50 years later, she’s in headlines as much as ever. Look back at photos of Reba when she was younger, before she became the star we know today.
Gallery Credit: Evan Paul
1998 ACM Awards
Ron Galella , Getty Images
1998 ACM Awards
July 26, 1997
James Crump , Getty Images
July 26, 1997
Reba McEntire, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn perform together at the Rosemont Horizon.
Grand Opening of the Country Star Restaurant, August 21, 1994
Ron Galella , Getty Images
Grand Opening of the Country Star Restaurant, August 21, 1994
Reba hugs her young son Shelby, 1994
Lynn Goldsmith, Getty Images
Reba hugs her young son Shelby, 1994
Reba accepts Entertainer of the Year, 1994 CMA Awards
Bettmann , Getty Images
Reba accepts Entertainer of the Year, 1994 CMA Awards
Recording vocals, Feb. 22, 1994
Paul Natkin, Getty Images
Recording vocals, Feb. 22, 1994
Rainbow Room, New York, June 30, 1993
Steve Eichner, Getty Images
Rainbow Room, New York, June 30, 1993
Reba McEntire Video Shoot July 1993
Patti Ouderkirk , Getty Images
Reba McEntire Video Shoot July 1993
Smiling at the ACM Awards, April 1992
Kypros , Getty Images
Smiling at the ACM Awards, April 1992
Reba McEntire and Tony Brown in the studio, August 8, 1991
Beth Gwinn, Getty Images
Reba McEntire and Tony Brown in the studio, August 8, 1991
Reba onstage, c. 1990s
Ron Galella, Getty Images
Reba onstage, c. 1990s
Reba McEntire and Kenny Rogers, c. 1991
Ron Galella, Getty Images
Reba McEntire and Kenny Rogers, c. 1991
Reba on ‘The Tonight Show’ 1990
NBC , Getty Images
Reba on ‘The Tonight Show’ 1990
Reba chats during an interview with guest host Jay Leno on July 17, 1990
‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,’ July 17, 1990
NBC , Getty Images
‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,’ July 17, 1990
Reba with Dwight Yoakam, ACM Awards Nominations, February 28, 1989
Ron Galella, Ltd., Getty Images
Reba with Dwight Yoakam, ACM Awards Nominations, February 28, 1989
1989 CMA Awards Nominations Gala
Ron Galella, Ltd. , Getty Images
1989 CMA Awards Nominations Gala
Reba performs on August 16, 1988 in Nashville, Tennessee
Beth Gwinn, Getty Images
Reba performs on August 16, 1988 in Nashville, Tennessee
Reba in Canada in 1988
Mike Slaughter, Getty Images
Reba in Canada in 1988
Reba McEntire sitting in chair, January 9, 1987 in Nashville
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
Reba McEntire sitting in chair, January 9, 1987 in Nashville
22nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, 1987
Ron Galella , Getty Images
22nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, 1987
Kris Kristofferson and Reba McEntire at 1986 Grammys
Ron Galella , Getty Images
Kris Kristofferson and Reba McEntire at 1986 Grammys
Reba signs autographs at the Camalot Music Store in Rivergate Mall, 1986
Beth Gwinn, Getty Images
Reba signs autographs at the Camalot Music Store in Rivergate Mall, 1986
Reba and Dolly, Grand Ole Opry 60th anniversary, 1986
CBS Photo Archive , Getty Images
Reba and Dolly, Grand Ole Opry 60th anniversary, 1986
Attending a two hour special broadcast on January 14, 1986.
20th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, 1985
Ron Galella , Getty Images
20th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, 1985
Reba McEntire performs on June 10, 1985 in Nashville, Tennessee
Beth Gwinn , Getty Images
Reba McEntire performs on June 10, 1985 in Nashville, Tennessee
Reba McEntire, 1985
Film Favorites , Getty Images
Reba McEntire, 1985
Reba McIntire at the Lone Star Café, New York, NY, July 22, 1982
Gary Gershoff, Getty Images
Reba McIntire at the Lone Star Café, New York, NY, July 22, 1982
Reba McEntire performs on ‘The Tonight Show,’ October 28, 1981
Gene Arias/NBC via Getty Images
Reba McEntire performs on ‘The Tonight Show,’ October 28, 1981
Reba McEntire poses for a portrait session in Nashville, circa 1976
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
Reba McEntire poses for a portrait session in Nashville, circa 1976
Beautiful, smiling Reba, c. 1975
Michael Ochs Archives , Getty Images
